It had been about an hour since the party started, and I had finished
greeting some of the people I knew. The situation near Kuro and the
others were getting calmer than at the beginning, and just when I
thought I'd come over and greet them, a dignified voice echoed through
the hall.
[Everyone, stop and listen. This voice is adjusted to "reach the entire
venue of the Six Kings Festival". I, the God of Time and Space, will now
deliver the words of Shallow Vernal-sama on her behalf.]
Moving my gaze towards the direction where I heard the voice, I saw
Chronois-san standing diagonally in front of the seat where Shiro-san
was standing.
Even though she was on the stage quite a distance away, her voice
sounded as if she was speaking right in front of me. As soon as I
stopped walking, all sounds disappeared from the party hall.
When she mentioned about her voice being heard in the entire venue of
the Six Kings Festival, I guess that means even those who weren't at the
party could hear her voice.
Even so, I wonder what Shiro-san is going to say? Kuro and the others
also seemed like they were unaware of this, so I guess this wasn't
something they had planned in advance…
[Well then, I'll tell everyone exactly what Shallow Vernal-sama said.
"With the cooperation of the three realms, God Realm, Demon Realm
and Human Realm, the Six Kings Festival that everyone had created…
was quite the wonderful event. I am also greatly satisfied. Thus, to
express my gratitude for this worthwhile time, for all those present at
this event… I'd like to give a simple reward"… End of message. I will
now tell everyone the contents of this reward.]
Errr, does this mean that Shiro-san is going to reward all the
participants and staff of the Six Kings Festival? That sounds great, but
what exactly is she planning to give them?
As I was thinking about this, Chronois-san continued to speak.
[As for the reward… Everyone in this venue will be granted the "God of
Life's Informal Blessing" which only lasts until the new year arrives.]
Hearing what Chronois-san said, the hall began to buzz at once. I guess
that would be normal. Only a king of a country can receive the blessing
of a High-ranking God, but in this event, even though it might be
informal, everyone will be granted the blessing of a Supreme God. It
was a tremendous surprise.
[…Silence. Now, as for the effects of God of Life's Blessing… God of Life's
blessing, to put it simply, is to "bring the person's body into the prime of
their life that the person envisions". There's no need to think about it
too hard. You can just think of it as "you can become as young as you
want".]
Become as young as they want… I don't know if I should say it's to be
expected from the blessing of a Supreme God or not, but even when it's
an Informal Blessing, it has quite an amazing effect.
[If you think you have a good body when you were young, you can have
a young body… Even if you feel good about your body now, it will look
the same, but "you will be free of any disease or fatigue, enabling you to
perform at your best"… That's about it. Your rejuvenated body will
remain intact even after the blessing wears off. However, because it's
only an Informal Blessing, you can only change your body once…
Therefore, I will now give you a few minutes to picture yourselves at
your prime. Oh, and as an effect of the blessing, for six months, you will
be free of disease and most fatigue will be completely gone after a
night's sleep.]
This would be especially nice for species with a long life span, and is
something that could really be described as an act of God. However, I
wonder what this is? This strange feeling I have…
[…Well then, in five minutes, everyone will be granted the blessing. Of
course, you can refuse. If you don't want the blessing, you just have to
think that you don't need it.]
Hmmm… I really think it's strange. I'm not talking about the content of
the reward, I'm talking about the act of giving a reward itself…
Shiro-san is someone who is extremely impartial towards most things.
And yet, hearing her say that "she would give something only to those
who participated in the Six Kings Festival" somehow strangely makes
me feel like something is out of place.
Dear Mom, Dad——– Looking at Shiro-san's expression on the stage, I
couldn't read anything in particular. However, I wonder what this
feeling is? This thought of mine about how this blessing "had some
other intentions"——– Am I overthinking too much?
Hearing about the unprecedented kindliness in the form of a reward,
most of the people at the Six Kings closed their eyes in thought, trying
to picture their prime form in their minds.
But of course… There were people like Kaito, who felt the hidden
meaning behind this reward.
…From behind Kaito who was tilting his head in wonder, Alice quietly
turned her gaze to Shallow Vernal who was standing on the stage.
(…This seems to be more serious than I thought. Most of the
subordinates under the Six Kings, including mine, are all here at this
venue. That means, this reward… is also her way of saying "I'll allow
you to perform at your best. Come at me with all your might.".)
Yes, for those who are expecting to face off against Shallow Vernal soon,
this reward is like the mercy given by the Last Boss, Shallow Vernal.
It was also meant to make sure they're fully recovered before the "Boss
Fight".
(But with this action, she had made herself clearer for my eyes to see
through her. Shallow Vernal-sama… is probably "hesitating". Because
she couldn't make up her mind, she's going to leave the final choice to a
third party. The odds are looking a bit better for us.)
Shallow Vernal's hesitation. The feeling of not being able to decide her
own feelings is something that Alice herself remembers. That's why she
was able to see through her hesitation.
Shallow Vernal will definitely fight against Alice and the others in a
battle that both sides have a chance to win. That can be said as the light
of hope they needed…
(But on the flip side, it's because she left the final choice to a third
party… means that she'll do everything she can to prepare herself. It
seems like this would really be the hardest fight I've ever had.)